Decks that have survived the test of time.
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| C.N. |
22 Aug 2004 |
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I have finally managed to reduce the number of decks I own to manageable number. So I finally dare to take a look a this forum again. After some misses with the latest fad decks, I have decided to only buy decks that have survived the test of time.
First I took a look at the top ten lists, these show me that there are five decks that managed to stay on the list the whole time: Rider-Waite, Robin Wood, Osho Zen, Crowley Thoth and Sacred Circle. I already own four of these and are sceptical considering Sacred Circle. So the top ten can't guide me anymore.
The next step is clearly to ask to recommendations. I'm looking for popular decks that are at least ten years old. Decks that you have owned at least some years and still use. (I don't state anything about my preferences to avoid missing something I might like after all and to make this thread useful for others also.)
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| Emily |
22 Aug 2004 |
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The Morgan Greer is a deck that has been around since 1979. Although it is now published by US Games it was first published by Morgan Press.
Its a deck that seems to have a good following. It raises its head above the radar on here for a few months then drops down again but it's always in the background. Quite a few people use it and it was on the Top Ten list.
I've used the Morgan Greer for months, must be nearing a year now - and I was surprised at how easy it is to read, I struggled with other Rider Waite clone decks and thought I had settled on the Universal as a nice alternative to the artwork of the original Rider Waite until I came across the Morgan Greer again 15 months after first seeing it. Its a deck you could easily learn on but I don't feel the need to ever move from it. It is a clone deck but uses so much symbolism of its own, the colours are a major factor in this deck, eye colour is very evident, faces and expressions are good - the artwork is very attractive.
I could sing the praises of this deck forever because its the one that bought me on with my studies. :)
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| Kittaine |
22 Aug 2004 |
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Originally posted by Sulis
I second the Morgan Greer - excellent deck - retro feel, strong
Sulis xx
Yes, I noticed the "retro feel" from The Magician. Can you say "Staying alive, staying alive, ah, ah, ah, ah"? Hehehe :D
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| jema |
22 Aug 2004 |
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Spiral and Gill.
I don't know exactly how old they are, but they are among the most used decks I have.
If I had to cut down the collection to just 5 - those two would be among the 5.
I also found a few newer ones that I think will prove to stand the test of time.
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| fyreflye |
22 Aug 2004 |
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Why do you need more decks? Any reason other than consumerism? If you're trying to come up with an answer, move it over to the Enabling thread.
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| Rose |
22 Aug 2004 |
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The decks that meet the ten year requirement (and are still available) that I would recommend are:
Ancient Egyptian Tarot by Barrett (Modern illustrations-not hieroglyphics)
Legend the Arthurian--If you like The Arthurian Legends (only 9 years old)
Illuminated Tarot by Carol Herzer--Fantastic handmade recolored version of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck
Medieval Scapini Tarot (from 1985)--has a new book to go with it.
Tarot of the Spirit by Eakins--the book that goes with this is good.
All these decks are Golden Dawn based (Thoth or Waite or a combination of them)
Note: I'm not a fan of the Sacred Circle.
There are several newer decks that are absolutely wonderful.
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| Cerulean |
22 Aug 2004 |
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1. Elemental by Caroline Smith, John Astrop - probably my most surprising, as not all the cards have the color combinations that I like. Goofy, but the poem on the side of the majors express the polarities and balance in the card design and all the funny glyphs and symbols are unusually diverse. I wanted and have found the 1988 edition and while there's a scratch or two or candlewax on some of the cards, it's well done and clean enough for me to enjoy.
2. RWS, 1971 edition from U.S. Games when they were on Park Avenue, New York, with Accurate Color Tones, the first printing from the deck in Sybil Waite's collection. Line and color is close to something classic that reminds me of finer printing designs by Pamela Colman Smith. I saw and handled the Green Sheaf, printed by her, and I have the Russian Ballet book--I really find this quality in this version of the deck. Supposedly it is available by buying a purple-blue box set in England...but no one has given me a name of a publisher for the English version.
3. Thoth, large version by AGMueller with gray borders and booklet by the Hermit. The green box version from U.S. Games as of early 2004 usually yields a good printing--early in 2003, there was a hit or miss in terms of getting a version that was printed lighter.
4. Dotti, large version by Di Vecchi with book, and small version by Il Menghello, no book. Simple Milanese Tarocco and I like it's references to Yeats...
5. Visconti, Dal Negro, Italian booklet. Best printing for me. Lots of good history to enjoy...
6. Di Gumppenberg Neoclassical, 1806, 1811. If you can get the Il Solloene, beautiful light and soft...the Italian Lo Scarabeo 1995 version is also as light....I use the faded and darker version from Il Menghello and Lo Scarabeo as of 2001, 2004 because they would show less wear, are less expensive to replace.
7. I keep returning to my beautiful versions of Etteilla by Editions Dussieres and Jeu de Princesse by Il Solloene--the printing seems to be a matte finish rather than a glossy one.
8. I like my 1805 Swiss Marsiglia with the funny Le Pendu in profile--Il Menghello, I believe published in 2000. Every time I pick a reference that touches on the grand French tradition of tarot, I yearn for this deck.
9. Various tarots that reference Ferarra for historical study.
10. Minchiate, Etruria. One of my oldest decks from Lo Scarabeo, 1995, and a chance pick from an out-of-business chain...I had a feeling that if I looked, I would find something different. This Minchiate was perfect while I was waiting for the Brian Williams Minchiate to be printed, and the book is perfect for my 1995 small deck.
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| The 78th Fool |
22 Aug 2004 |
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The fist three decks I bought 23 years ago were the Swiss 1JJ, The Tarot of the Witches and the Rider Waite. I still use all three regularly and they are still among my top ten favourites.
Another deck in my list is the Grimaud Marseilles - That's been around for longer than most and is still one of the best loved Marseilles decks.
Chris. xx
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| C.N. |
22 Aug 2004 |
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Originally posted by fyreflye
Why do you need more decks? Any reason other than consumerism? If you're trying to come up with an answer, move it over to the Enabling thread.
I have yet to find a deck that I'm really happy to read with. Yes, those I still have are good, but there is always something a bit offputting in all I have. Some have symbolisms I don't like, others are a bit limited in their application.
Enabling thread? I have only found a De-Enabling thread.
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| fyreflye |
22 Aug 2004 |
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Enabling thread? I have only found a De-Enabling thread.
I was suggesting you start one. If you didn't want your addiction enabled why did you come back here?
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| MeeWah |
22 Aug 2004 |
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C.N.: This *is* the best place for your inquiry :)
So: ditto on the recommendations for the RWS, Tarot of the Witches*, Ancient Egyptian, Thoth, Gill, Grimaud Marseilles.
*With some reservations: seems one either loves it or hates it.
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| Trogon |
22 Aug 2004 |
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Originally posted by C.N.
I have yet to find a deck that I'm really happy to read with. Yes, those I still have are good, but there is always something a bit offputting in all I have. Some have symbolisms I don't like, others are a bit limited in their application.
This is interesting C.N. Especially as the decks you decided to continue to work with were all either RWS or Thoth based (or actually the Thoth). Now, you won't normally hear me saying this, but I would second the idea that you might consider one of the Marseilles decks. This style is older than the RWS and Thoth and so has, in a very real sense, stood the test of time.
The reason you wouldn't normally hear me saying this is I don't generally care much for the Marseilles decks and, in fact, gave one away some time back. I seem to get on better with the RWS and it's ilk. In the Thoth line, one that is almost 10 years old (originally published around 1995 I believe) and that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Röhrig Tarot. I picked it up a couple of years ago and I've given it a lot of use. I find it very easy to read with and I very much like the modern imagery used.
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| KyrieSummer |
24 Aug 2004 |
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I don't own that many decks . . .
But I would vote for The Voyager Tarot as my favorite. I have been reading it for about 12 years with good results. I would also say that Thoth is a wonderful deck.
I have been pondering the idea of purchasing The Brotherhood of Light deck . . .
- KyrieSummer -
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| diane drizzy |
25 Aug 2004 |
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My first deck in the 70's was The Aquarian Tarot. It still rocks on. :smoker:
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| Little Baron |
25 Aug 2004 |
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Originally posted by Trogon
and that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Röhrig Tarot. I picked it up a couple of years ago and I've given it a lot of use. I find it very easy to read with and I very much like the modern imagery used.
Yep, totally agree. I have had that one for a good eight or nine years and there is so much in it for continued learning and discussion. Just when you think you know all about it, you realise you are still scraping the surface. In that sense, I would say it is brilliant to become familiar and read with but also always ready to shed new light on situations.
Yaboot
By the way Trogon, I love your signature line!
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| Jewel |
25 Aug 2004 |
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I would definetly recommend you add a Marseilles deck to your collection as one that stands the test of time. As for the version ... I would recommend you go to the Historical section of these boards and look at the threads by JMD.
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| The 78th Fool |
25 Aug 2004 |
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[quote]Originally posted by Cerulean
[b]1.
2. RWS, 1971 edition from U.S. Games when they were on Park Avenue, New York, with Accurate Color Tones, the first printing from the deck in Sybil Waite's collection. Line and color is close to something classic that reminds me of finer printing designs by Pamela Colman Smith. I saw and handled the Green Sheaf, printed by her, and I have the Russian Ballet book--I really find this quality in this version of the deck. Supposedly it is available by buying a purple-blue box set in England...but no one has given me a name of a publisher for the English version.
Hi C,
The edition you may be referring to may not be in print any more. Rider and Co used to publish the deck in England in a solid blue box with the World Dancer on the front. There was also an edition in a purple box with the Fool and World Cards on the front.
Since '94 however, Rider and Co have only published the Original Rider Waite - you have to rely on U.S. Games for the other version in the yellow box (now with bad, modern fonts on the titles!)
If you look on ebay though, the blue box edition often appears and is well worth having. I've attached a scan of the box from my copy below.
Chris. xx
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| Cerulean |
26 Aug 2004 |
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That would be an excellent find for me.
Thanks, I can check abebooks.com and Amazon.com UK when I need to replace or help someone else in this. Until then, I'll keep my vintage find in careful use and use the "sacred texts" site to check online for the best images of the RWS.
My best wishes,
Cerulean Mari
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| Logiatrix |
26 Aug 2004 |
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Originally posted by C.N.
I have finally managed to reduce the number of decks I own to manageable number. So I finally dare to take a look a this forum again. After some misses with the latest fad decks, I have decided to only buy decks that have survived the test of time...
Good idea for a thread, C.N. :D
This is a change I made, too.
One problem I ran into was that my taste didn't necessarily match the tastes of others, much like what you discovered with the "Top Ten List."
Ultimately, I scaled my collection down to the "Basic Three":
Marseille, RWS, and Thoth.
Outside of those important representatives, I have a few decks that I just can't part with, either for sentimental reasons or just because I like having them for aesthetics or study.
And then, of course, there's two or three tarots that I use regularly--none of which is the "Basic Three," by the way.
I still manage to keep it under twenty decks by using this format.
:)
On a slightly unrelated note, my greater weakness lately has been oracle decks...but I've been good, so far. ;)
PEACE,
Tauni
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The Decks that have survived the test of time. thread was originally posted on 22 Aug 2004 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.
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